After listening to a half-dozen residents urge them to do otherwise, members of Westerville's
City Council voted last night to install "smart meters" in businesses and some schools.

In two votes of 6-1, the council authorized the city to issue $6.9 million in bonds that will
include $4.1 million to pay for 3,500 new meters, as well as the wireless network that will gather
usage information and pass it on to utility companies.

Council members told the audience that the meters will save the city money on meter-reading
costs and allow customers to monitor how much energy they use down to the minute. The system would
add about $2 total to customers' monthly water and electric bills.

Residents, though, made the same arguments that they did five months ago when they stymied plans
to install the meters throughout the city.

Resident Gary Carpenter said the meters are an invasion of privacy. He's concerned that others
would gain access to his utility-use information.

"I would gladly pay an extra monthly charge to have my meter manually read, to protect my family
from government and third-party intrusions," he said.

Other residents contended that the installation cost is too high, and some said they fear that
the city would install the meters in homes without owners' consent.

Councilman Craig Treneff cited the outcry from residents before voting no on both bond issues.
"I'm still not convinced we have enough public acceptance yet," he told the council. "I don't want
to divide the city over this."

The six members in favor of the plan declined to comment before voting, but City Administrator
David Collinsworth assured the audience that the only residents who would receive the meters in the
first phase would be volunteers who live near businesses.

Most businesses in the city and some schools will receive the meters over the summer, and the
system should be up and running next year, said Andy Boatright, the city's electrical manager.

Once city officials have enough information to review the first phase, they might consider
adding the meters to homes whose owners choose to use them, council members said.

In Columbus, 110,000 residents have smart meters through a pilot program by American Electric
Power. Starting this summer, some of those customers will be able to enroll in a "two-tier" payment
program, said AEP spokeswoman Terri Flora.

It will allow those customers to pay a higher rate for electricity during peak hours, but
reduced rates when demand isn't as great. By planning when they do their laundry or dry their hair,
Flora said, customers can save money.

Boatright said Westerville has no plan to implement variable rates, but it would consider that
if businesses asked for the option.

After the council voted last night, some residents abruptly walked out of the chambers.

At the close of the meeting, Chairman Mike Heyeck told those who remained that the city will
proceed cautiously.

"I don't want to be too aggressive," he said. "We're not going to force the meters on
anybody."